Marine toilet



Oct. 29, 1968 L. E. THOM 3,

MARINE TOILET Filed March 4, 1966 l l l "INVENTOR. '0rewa'2 5 7 W!" 7 1/.sc'wi' 3,407,410 MARINE TOILET Laurence E. Thom, 10023 12th NW.,Seattle, Wash. 98177 Filed Mar. 4, 1966, Ser. No. 532,005 7 Claims. (Cl.4111) This invention is for a marine toilet and, in particular, for amarine toilet which can be used on small boats.

As is well known, on a small boat there is a lack of an abundance ofroom. In fact, the available space must be carefully apportioned for thevarious uses of the occupants. In regard to toilet facilities, thesemust be carefully planned so as to utilize as small a space as possible.Further, on a small boat there is a bilge pump for removing bilge water.Again, the space occupied by the bilge pump must be carefully planned.Accordingly, knowing the limitations of space on a small boat, I haveinvented a marine toilet having as an object the utilization of as smallan amount of space as possible; to provide a marine toilet which mayalso be used as a bilge pump; to provide a non-clogging marine toilet;to provide a marine toilet which is relatively easy to install on oldboats and also easy to install on new boats; to provide a marine toilethaving an arrangement of parts, when necessary, which can be easilyreplaced; to provide a marine toilet having a full electrical operationand adaptable for various voltages such as 6, 12, 54 and 32 volts; toprovide a marine toilet which uses a standard marine pump and which pumpis self-priming; and, to provide a marine toilet wherein the comminuteris directly below the bowl.

These and other important objects and advantages of the invention willbe more particularly brought forth upon reference to the accompanyingdrawings, the detailed specification of the invention and the appendedclaims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view in which a portion is broken away toshow, in cross-section, the details of construction of the marinetoilet;

FIGURE 2, on an enlarged scale, is an exploded isometric view of theupper surface of the comminuter and the lower part of the housingillustrating the downwardly spiraling surface of the bottom surface ofthe marine toilet; and,

FIGURE 3, on a smaller scale, is an isometric view looking at the lowersurface of the comminuter.

In FIGURE 1 there is illustrated a marine toilet 10 having a lower baseor lower housing 12. The lower base or lower housing 12 is of a tubularconstruction which,

in lateral cross-sectional view, is of a generally cylindricalconfiguration and having a wall 14. On the lower end of the 'wall 14there is a circular flange 16 having a number of passageways 18. Thepassageways 18 make it possible to bolt or attach the marine housingfirmly to the boat. On the upper end of the wall 12 there is a circularflange 20 having a number of passageways 22. In the upper part of thewall 12 there is an opening 24. The lower housing around the opening 24branches off into an outlet pipe or nipple 26. In the housing 12 thereis a bottom surface 28. This bottom surface 28 spirals upwardly from theopening 24 so that at its upper portion it defines a bottom surfaceslightly above the upper part of the opening 24. In this regard, seeFIGURE 2, wherein it is seen that, from the upper part of the bottomsurface 28, the bottom surface 28 spirals downwardly so that the lowerpart connects or leads into the opening 24. Actually, the upper part ofthe bottom surface 28 may be designated by reference numeral 30 and thelower part may be designated by reference numeral 32. At the junction ofthe uppermost part 30 and the lowermost part 32, there is a rapid risewhich may be designated by reference numeral 34 as a breaker ridge. Thebottom surface 28 may United States Patent 3,40'74 1 0 Patented Oct. 29,1968 be covered by a plastic 36. This plastic may be one'of the newprotective coatings such as tetrafiuoropolyethylene.

The bottom surface 28 has a central opening 40. Positioned in thiscentral opening 40 is a sleeve bearing 42. The lower end of the sleevebearing 42 is positioned by means of a toroidal stiffener 44. The outerend of the stiffener 44 is welded or bonded to the surface of the wall14 while the lower inner end of the stiffener 44 is welded or bonded tothe lower end of the sleeve bearing 42.

In the lower part of the wall 14 there is an opening 46. The opening 46is approximately on the opposite side of the housing 12 as is theopening 24. On the wall 14 and above the opening 46 is an arm 48.

It is to be realized that the opening 46, the arm 48, the bottom surface28 and the nipple 26 may be cast upon the casting of the lower housing12. There is positioned on the lower housing 12 an upper housing 50. Theupper housing 50 has a wall 52. The general configuration of the wall 52of the upper housing 50 is one of a frustrum of a cone. On the lower endof the wall 52 is a circular flange 54 having openings 56. The upperhousing 50 may be attached to the lower housing 12 by means of bolts orpins or rivets in the openings 56 and wall 52.On the upper end of thewall 52 is a circular flange 58. In the circular flange 58 are aplurality of openings 60. A bowl 62 having openings 64 may be positionedon the flange 58 by means of pins or rivets or bolts projecting throughthe aligned openings 64 and 60.

The inner surface of the wall 52 has a circular recess 66, positioned inthis recess 66 is a serrated ring 68 having serrations 70 in the lowersurface. It is seen in FIG- URE 1 that the external diameter of theserrated ring 68 is somewhat less than the internal diameter of thehousing surrounding the bottom surface 28. Further, the highest part ofthe surface 28 is below the bottom of the lower edge of the serratedring 68. The serrated ring 68 may be press fitted into the circulargroove 66 or may be welded or bonded into the circular groove 66.

In the marine toilet 10 there is a comminuter or grinder 72. Thecomminuter 72 has an upper portion which may be considered a circulartop 74. On the upper surface of the circular top 74 are two radialbreaker bars 76 having serrations 78. Also, the upper surface of thecircular top 74 has a number of grooves or wedges 80 in the periphcry.The trailing edge of the groove 80, see reference numeral 82, may besubstantially at right angles with the upper surface of the circular top74 so as to provide a chopping action on the solids.

In FIGURE 3 it is seen that the central portion of the lower surface ofthe circular top 74 is built up or reinforced to form a hub 84. Directedoutwardly from the hub 84 are a plurality of radial choppers 86. Theradial choppers 86, near the hub 84 are recessed or cut back at 88. Theradial choppers 86 are recessed at 88 to make sure that the radialchoppers 86 can clear the central portion of the bottom surface 28.

The surface 84 is well finished. Also, it is seen that the upper centralpart of the bottom surface 28 around the sleeve bearing 42 is wellfinished at 90. The well finished surfaces 84 and 90 function both as abearing surface and as a seal. By means of these well finished surfacesvery little, if any, liquid flows through an opening 92 in the sleevebearing 42.

Attached to the circular top of the comminuter 72 is a shaft 94. InFIGURE 3 is it seen that this shaft 94 projects downwardly from the hub84. On the lower end of the shaft 94 are two sheaves 96. The shaft 94fits in the passageway 92 of sleeve bearing 42. As is seen in FIGURE 1,the sheaves 96 are below the toroidal support 44.

A combination of an electric motor and a pump 98 3 is attached to thearm 48 of the lower housing 112. There is an arm or flange 100 on thecase 98. The arm or flange 100 may be attached to the arm 48 by means ofa bolt 102. The combination 98 comprises an electric motor 104 on theupper part and a pump -6 on the lower part. The electric motor 104 hasan output shaft 108. This output shaft 108 connects with the pump 106. Ahousing 109 connects the electric motor 104 with the pump 106. In thewall of the housing 109 there is an opening 110. The opening 110 facesthe opening 46 of the lower housing 12.

On the lower end of the shaft 108, and above the pump 106, there are twosheaves 112. The two sheaves 112 are aligned with the two sheaves 96.Two endless rubber belts 114 connect the two pairs of sheaves 96 and112. It is seen in FIGURE 1, that the two endless rubber belts 114 passthrough the openings 110 and 46 to connect the pairs of sheaves 96 and112. It is obvious that, with the rotation of the shaft 108, thecomminuter 72 will rotate. The direction of the rotation of thecomminuter 72 is such that the breaker ridge 34 and the comminuter 72combine to form a valve. Any solids which are dropped onto thecomminuter are ground by means of the radial breaker bar 76 with theassistance of the grooves 80 in conjunction with the serrated ring 68 tomake fine particles which can easily pass through the opening 24 and thenipple 26. Actually, the lower surface of the circular top 74 of thecomminuter 72 and the breaker ridge 34 combine to form a valve whichdirects that the cornminuted solids and liquids be forced through theopening 24 and the nipple 26. The radial choppers 86 assist in this asthese, in combination with the breaker ridge 34, form a valve. In FIGURE2 there is illustrated the direction of rotation of the comminuter 72,and it is seen that the breaker ridge 34 is on the downward side of theopening 24. With the breaker ridge 34 on the downward side of theopening 24 with respect to the rotation of the comminuter 7 2, there isefiectuated this valve function.

An inlet pipe 120 connects with the pump 106. On the outer end of theinlet pipe 120 there is a three-way valve 122 having a handle 124. Thethree-way valve 122 connects with a pipe 126 and a pipe 128. The pipe126 connects with a source of flushing water such as fresh water on theboat or water outside of the boat. The pipe 128 connects with thatportion of the boat holding the bilge water, or it may be consideredthat the pipe 128 connects with the bilge water.

An outlet pipe 130 connects with the pump 106. On the outer end of thepipe 130 there is a three-way valve 132. The three-way valve 132 has ahandle 134. The valve 132 connects with an overflow pipe 136 and witha'pipe 138. The pipe 138 connects with bowl 62 of the marine toilet 10so as to introduce flushing water into the bowl 62.

From this arrangement of inlet and outlet pipes and valves, it is seenthat flushing water may be introduced into the bowl 62 by adjusting thevalve 122 to draw water through the pipe 126, such as fresh water on theboat or from water outside of the boat, and by adjusting the valve 132to force the water through the pipe 138 to the bowl 62. Also, byadjusting the valve 122 to draw bilge water through the pipe 128, and byadjusting the valve 132 to discharge bilge water through the overflowline 136, it is possible to use this marine toilet as the bilge waterpump.

The electric motor 98 has lead-in Wires 140 and 142. The lead-in wires140 and 142 connect with a switch 144. The switch 144 connects withwires 146 and 148 which, in turn, connect with the source ofelectromotive force or electrical energy.

In FIGURE 2 it is seen that the upper circular flange is recessed at 150to accommodate itself with the housing of the electric motor 98.Similarly, the circular flange 54 is recessed to accommodate the housingof the electric motor 98.

From the foregoing, it is seen that I have provided a marine toiletwherein the comminuter can be positioned directly below the bowl andwhich comminuter is compact and requires only a small volume of space.The comminuter is efficient in comminuting solids. For example, from aworking test, it has been found that the cornminuter efliciently grindsand will not be clogged by paper towels, Tampax and Kotex. In otherwords, the comminuter does such an efficient job of grinding solids thatit is practically trouble free from the standpoint of clogging. Also,from the foregoing it is seen that I have provided a marine toilet whichcan be used as a marine pump. In other words, I have provided a unitwhich serves two functions, i.e., that of a marine toilet and that of amarine pump.

What I claim is:

1. A marine toilet, said toilet comprising:

(a) a housing;

(b) said housing having a first opening in the upper part;

(c) said housing having a second opening;

(d) a bottom surface in said housing;

(e) said bottom surface being below said first open- (f) said bottomsurface having an upper portion which curves downwardly to a lowerportion and leads to the second opening;

(g) a comminuter in said housing;

(h) said comminuter being above the bottom surface;

(i) a first means to rotate said comminuter to break the solids to allowthe efiluent to flow to the second opening; and,

(j) a bowl positioned on said housing.

2. In a marine toilet according to claim 1:

(a) said comminuter having an upper surface;

(b) on the upper surface there being a breaker bar;

(c) said comminuter having a lower surface;

(d) a first shaft depending from the comminuter; and,

(e) said first means comprising a motor having a second shaft and asecond means connecting the first and second shafts to place the secondshaft in a driving relationship with the first shaft.

3. In a marine toilet according to claim 2'.

(a) said bottom surface at the junction of upper portion and the lowerportion define a breaker ridge;

(b) said breaker ridge being on the downward side of rotation of thecomminuter with respect to the second opening;

(0) a radial bar on the lower surface of the comminuter;

(d) the radial bar, the lower surface of the comminuter and the breakerridge defining a valve to force the etfiuent through the second openingwith the ratation of the comminuter;

(e) a third opening in the bottom surface;

(f) the bottom surface around the third opening having a first finish;

(g) the lower surface of the comminuter around the first shaft having asecond finish;

'(h) the first shaft being in the third opening; and,

(i) said first and second finishes being bearing surfaces and seals toprevent the flow of efiiuent through the third opening.

4. In a marine toilet according to claim 2:

(a) said motor mounted on the housing;

(b) a pump mounted on said motor;

(c) said second shaft in driving relationship with said (d) an inletline to said pump; and,

(e) an outlet line from said pump.

5. In a marine toilet according to claim 4:

(a) said outlet line leading to said bowl to introduce liquid into thebowl.

6. In a marine toilet according to claim 5:

(a) a first valve connecting with said inlet line;

(b) said first valve connects with first line;

(c) said first line connects with a source of water;

(d) said first valve connects with a second line;

(c) said second line connects with that portion of the boat for holdingbilge water;

(f) a second valve in said outlet line; and,

(g) said second valve connecting with an overflow line as well as withthe line to the bowl.

7. In a marine toilet according to claim 6:

(a) said bottom surface having an upper portion which curves downwardlyto a lower portion and leads to the second opening;

(b) said bottom surface at the junction of upper portion and the lowerportion defines a breaker ridge;

(c) said breaker ridge being on the downward side of rotation of thecomminuter with respect to the second opening;

(d) a radial bar on the lower surface of the comrni- (i) the first shaftbeing in the third opening; and,

(i) said first and second finishes being bearing surfaces and seals toprevent the flow of effluent through the third opening.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,996,325 4/1935 Cox 4102,200,061 5/ 1940 Green 410 2,414,964 1/1947 McPherson 4-10 2,604,633 7/1952 McPherson 410 2,630,577 3/1953 Morris 4-8 2,658,202 11/1 953Wolrnan et a1 48 2,715,735 8/1955 McPherson 410 2,724,837 11/1955McPherson 4-10 2,779,948 2/1957 Houle 4-10 2,798,227 7/1957 Boester 4-103,157,888 11/1964 Violette 4-10 3,259,917 7/1966 Rascov 4-10 FOREIGNPATENTS 678,472 9/ 1952 Great Britain.

5 LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner.

H. K. ARTIS, Assistant Examiner.

1. A MARINE TOILET, SAID TOILET COMPRISING: (A) A HOUSING; (B) SAIDHOUSING HAVING A FIRST OPENING IN THE UPPER PART; (C) SAID HOUSINGHAVING A SECOND OPENING; (D) A BOTTOM SURFACE IN SAID HOUSING; (E) SAIDBOTTOM SURFACE BEING BELOW SAID FIRST OPENING; (F) SAID BOTTOM SURFACEHAVING AN UPPER PORTION WHICH CURVES DOWNWARDLY TO A LOWER PORTION ANDLEADS TO THE SECOND OPENING; (G) A COMMINUTER IN SAID HOUSING; (H) SAIDCOMMINUTER BEING ABOVE THE BOTTOM SURFACE; (I) A FIRST MEANS TO ROTATESAID COMMINUTER TO BREAK THE SOLIDS TO ALLOW THE EFFLUENT TO FLOW TO THESECOND OPENING; AND, (J) A BOWL POSITIONED ON SAID HOUSING.